Sample taker for moisture testing of dehydrated grain



y B. WELTY ET AL. SAMPLE vTAKER FOR MOISTURE :TESTING OF DEHYDRATED GRAIN April 19, 1949.

Flled June l2, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aprll 19, 1949. A. B. WELTY ET Al. 2,467,791

" SAMPLE TAKER FOR MOISTURE TESTING OF DEHYDRATED GRAIN Filed June 12, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 jade/75% 71g: 35. v Z/ eZgy w53' zda'zzzm @W1 Patented Apr. 19,* 1949 SAMPLE TAKER FOR MOISTURE TESTING OF DEHYDRATED GRAIN Albert B. Welty, Moline, and William H. Walker, East Moline, Ill., assignors to International Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application June 12, 1944, Serial No. 539,952

17 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved sample taker for moisture testing of dehydrated gram.

An important object of this invention is to provide a continuously fresh sample of dehydrated grain for the testing of the moisture content of grain leaving a grain dryer.

Another object is the provision of means for taking a representative sample of grain which has progressed through a dehydrator, such as shown in an application entitled Grain dehydrator, having Serial No. 528,254, filed March 27, 1944, whichissued November 12, 1946 as- Patent No. 2,410,851, and testing this representative sample in a moisture tester, such as the one described in copending application entitled Moisture tester, having Serial No. 528,255, filed March 27, 1944.

A further important object is to provide a grain-sampling device having means for varying the amount of the sample and further means for insuring a clean sample.

Other and further important objects will become apparent from the disclosures in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a discharge elevator of a grain dehydrator incorporating the sampling device of this invention;

Figure 2 is a front view detail of a portion of the elevator as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective detail of the sample taking device;

Figure 4 is a front view of a portion of the grain sample taker;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a detail showing the driving pulley of the subject sample taker.

As shown in the drawings;

The reference numeral I indicates generally a discharge elevator for al grain dryer, such as shown in the prior application of a grain dehydrator, mentioned above. The upper end of the elevator is supported on a shaft II, and the discharge or downwardly turned portion of the elevator I2 is divided into'two spouts I3 and I4. A valve gate I is adapted to be operated to optionally open or close either of the disch-arge spouts I3 and I4. The description of this two spout elevator is described in greater detail in both of the prior mentioned copending applications. The purpose of the spouts I3 and I4 is to provide a means for separating grain that has not been fully dried from grain that has been dried. Itl

is custom-ary to dry grain, particularly corn, preliminary to storing to prevent spoiling of the corn. In order to determine whether or not the corn is suitably dry, and conducive to good storage, it is necessary to test for moisture content at regular intervals. When it is found that too much moisture still exists in the grain, it is diverted back through the grain dryer for redrying. As the grain is continuously iiowing through the discharge elevator I'Il, it is imperative that the moisture test be made promptly and with a fresh sample of grain in order that the rerouting of grain be of any value. In other words, the grain discharging through the dry spout is immediately put into a storage bin, and if the high moisture content is not immediately discovered and the grain diverted to the wet spout, the moist grain will be so intermixed in the storage bin that it will be impossible to remove thatk portion of the grain which is too moist. The present device shows a solenoid I5 for eiTeCting shifting of the lgate valve I5 upon the determination of moisture content of the grain.

A tube II, best shown inFigures 1 and 3, has its end cut off on an incline as shown at I8 and projecting into the portion I2 of the discharge elevator I0. A supporting bracket I9 is fastened to the elevator I ll at 20 and encircles the tube Il at 2| and adjustably clamps the tube in place. The inclined cut-ofi end I8 forms an intake opening to the tube I1. This opening, as shown in Figure 1, faces upwardly toward the down-coming grain within the disch-arge portion I2 of the elevator I0. In this position, the tube will receive its greatest quantity of grain, but it will be obvious that upon rotation of the tube Il, the size of the opening presented to the down-coming grain Will be gradually decreased until such time as the opening faces directly downwardly. Intermediate these two extreme positions, the quantity of grain sample desired may be secured. In operating the sampling devi-ce, it is desirable to take only the amount of grain which will be utilized in the moisture test. However, it is essential that su'icient grain be taken to fill the test cups completely, and in order that this maybe done, a slightly greater amount of grain is taken from the discharge elevator than will be used,v and provision is made for returning that surplus grain to the discharge elevator.

The lower end 22 of the sample taking tube Il projects into or telescopes an enlarged tube 23, the under side of which is perforated with aper tures 24 of a size smaller than the grain being tested. These apertures 24 permit dirt or other foreign matter to be screened out of the grain to be tested. This screening out of foreign matter is conducive to better test results.

The tester employed may be any one of several types, but for convenience in illustrating this invention, the upper portion of the moisture tester, as shown in the identied copending application, is employed. This upper portion of the moisture tester is designated by the numeral and is shown more fully in Figure e. A crank shaft 25 is journaled in vertical frame members 2l and 23 and is adapted to cause reciprc-oation of the moisture testing plunger 29. The drive for the crank shaft is secured from a driven V-belt pulley 38 affixed to a shaft 3 I A gear 32 is mounted on the shaft 3| and is thereby driven and imparts rotation to the engaging gear 33 mounted on the end of the crank shaft 25. The other end of the crank shaft 25 supports a bevel gear 34 which engages a bevel gear 35 and causes rotation of the vertical shaft 35, which extends downwardly as shown at 31 to drive the moisture-testing elements and extends upwardly to effect operation of the sampling device.

As best shown in Figures 4 and 5, a disk member 38 is mounted on the upper end of and is rotatable with the shaft 35. A sample cup 39 is provided in the disk member 38 and is welded or otherwise fastened to disk 38, as best shown in Figure 4. The cup 39 has no bottom but in the filling position rests on an irregularly-shaped plate 4U as shown in Figure 5. A hopper 4I projects upwardly around the filling portion of the disk 38 and is adapted to receive the grain coming through the tube 23. tube 23 are fastened together by means of a bracket 42. The hopper, as shown, is rectangular in shape and has a slot cut through a portion thereof to permit rotation of the disk 38 therethrough. The irregularly shaped plate 49 rests on the shelf formed by the slot in the hopper 4|. As grain enters the hopper 4|, it falls directly into the cup 39, and any overflow is permitted to fall over the edge of the plate 48 and down through the bottom 43 of the hopper 4I direction indicated by the arrow 4B, any grain projecting above the surface of the disk 38 is prevented from passing beyond the limits of the hopper 4| by means of a wiper 41 which is bolted or otherwise fastened to the outside of the hopper 4| at 48. This wiper 41 is adapted to closely engage the upper surface of the disk 38 and acts as a leveler for the grain surface in the cup 39. It is obvious, therefore, that any surplus grain will not be admitted with the sample to the moisture tester but rather is caused to proceed down through the lower end 43 of the hopper 4I and thus return to the elevator I9. It will be seen that as the disk rotates, the sample cup will pass over the end of the plate at the point 49. that point the bottom of the cup ceases to exist, and the column of corn held in the cup 39 is released and permitted to fall downwardly through an elongated hopper 49. The hopper 49, as best shown in Figure 4, converges to the vertical tube 50 which is adapted to supply the moisture tester F with continuously fresh and uniform samples of grain.

In order that the surplus grain admitted to the hopper 4| is caused to drop off the disk 38 and into the lower portion 43 of the hopper 4| and The hop-per 4I and thereupon be returned to the elevator I0, a vibrating means is employed on the disk 38. A further principal use of the vibrator is to cause the kernels to settle uniformly into the cup and thus avoid building up irregular voids or air spaces in the sample of corn in the cup. The V-belt pulley 30 is equipped with an internal annular series of cams or teeth 5I. The shape of the cams is such that one surface 56 is arcuately inclined through a considerable distance, and the other surface 51 is a direct drop-olf. A supporting bracket 52 is mounted on the frame member 21 and is adapted for pivotally mounting a rocker arm 53 at 54. One arm 55 of the rocker arm 53 is adapted to project into the range of the internal annular cams 5| of the pulley 3U, and upon rotation of the pulley 30, the end of the arm 55 rides up the inclined surface 56 of the cams 5I and after reaching the peak of the cam drops down the steep side 51 of the cam 5|' and thereupon begins travel upon the arcuate inclined side 56 of the next cam. It will be obvious, therefore, that the other arm 58 of the rocker arm 53 will similarly move up and down through an arcuate movement about the pivot shaft 54. A hammer member 59 is supplied on the lower outer end of the arm 58 and engages the sample disk 38 when the arm 55 of the rocker arm is down within the space between the cams 5|. A spring 58a is positioned between a xed portion of the frame and the arm 58, thus constantly urging the arm 58 downwardly. As the arm 55 rides up the incline 56, the hammer 59 moves away from the disk 38 until such a time as the arm 55 reaches the peak of the cam 5I, whereupon the dropping of the arm 55 down the steep surface 51 of the cam 5| because of the pulling by the spring 58a the hammer 59 is caused to strike the surface of the disk 38 causing it to vibrate. It will be evident that as the drive pulley 3D rotates, the hammer 59 will create a continuous vibration of the disk 38, and rany grain over and above the amount necessary to fill the cup 39 will be shaken off the disk 38 and down into the return tube 45.

In operation, the dried grain is elevated by means of the elevator I0 and discharged through either of the spouts I3 or I4. A portion of this discharging grain is received by the cut-out end I8 of the tube I1 whereupon this grain travels down the tube I1 to the larger tube 23, which acts to clean the grain through the medium of a screened bottom. The clean grain then enters the hopper 4| and fills the sample cup 39. Rotation of the disk 38 then commences, and the wiper 41 acts to maintain all surplus grain over a level cup within the hopper 4I. The level cupfull is then discharged into the hopper 49 and down the sample tube 50 which proceeds to a moisture tester. The hammering and resultant continued vibration of the disk 38 guarantees that the cup 39 shall be completely emptied as it travels over the hopper 49 and also causes the surplus grain within the hopper 4| to shake off the surface of the disk 38 and down through the bottom 43 of the hopper to the return tube 45 and thereupon to the discharge elevator I0 of the grain dryer.

It will be seen that herein is provided a novel sample taker for the purpose of testing grain for moisture content, and further that the sample of grain taken is of a uniform quantity and quality.

What is claimed is:

1. A grain sample taking device, an inclined grain carrying conduit having an aperture in the side thereof, a cylindrical open end tube inserted in said aperture, said tube having an irregular cut away portion adjacent the end thereof, and means for adjustably clamping said tube in any rotated position, whereby the amount of grain taken by the tube from the conduit varies as the tube is rotated.

2. A grain sample taking device, an inclined grain carrying conduit having an. aperture in the side thereof, a cylindrical open end tube inserted in Isaid aperture at substantially a right angle to s-aid conduit, said tube having an angular cut away portion adjacent the end thereof, and means for adjustably clamping said tube in any rotated position, -whereby the amount of grain taken by the tube from the conduit varies as the tube is rotated.

3. In a sample taking device, a material -carrying conduit having an opening in the side thereof, a tube snugly engaging lsaid conduit opening and having fan end thereof projecting through said vopening for continuously receiving a predetermined quantity of material, a cleaning chamber for said material, said tube delivering the 'f material to said cleaning chamber, :and said cleaning chamber comprising an enlarged tube having a perforated under side.

fi. In a sample taking device, a material carrying conduit having an opening in the side thereof, a tube snugly engaging said conduit opening and having an end thereof projecting through said opening for continuously receiving a regulated quantity of material, a cleaning chamber, the underside of which is perforated for screening said material, said tube delivering the material by gravity to said cleaning chamber, and a material measuring means receiving the cleaned material from the cleaning chamber.

5. In a sample taking device, a materi-al carrying conduit having an opening in the side thereof, a tube snugly engaging said conduit opening and having an end thereof projecting through said opening for continuously receiving a predetermined quantity of material, a cleaning chamber; the underside of which is perforated for screening said material, said tube delivering the material by gravity to said cleaning chamber, a material receptacle, means for delivering a quantity of cleaned material from the cleaning chamber in excess of the size of the receptacle to the receptacle, and means for returning excess material from said receptacle to said material carrying conduit.

6. In a grain sample taking device, a grain carrying con-duit, -means for continuously diverting a portion of said grain, a grain measuring means receiving said diverted grain, means associated with said grain measuring means adapted to intermittently empty said grain measuring means and deliver the measured grain samples for testing purposes, and an overflow recovery device associ-ated with said measuring means for carrying surplus grain back to said grain carrying conduit.

'L'. A grain sampler comprising a grain receiving hopper having a slot therein, a disc having a portion thereof rotatable through said hopper slot, a shelf in said hopper beneath said disc, and a cup secured in an opening extending through said disc, said cup having an open bottom whereby the cup when in the hopper with the shelf as a bottom will be filled with grain and -upon rota- -tion of the disc the grain in the cup will be lev- 6 elled with the top of the disc by the hopper side wall.

8. A grain sampler comprising, a grain receiving hopper having a slot therein, -a disc having a portion thereof rotatable through said hopper slot, a shelf in said hopper beneath said disc, a c-up secured in an opening extending through said disc, said cup having an open bottom whereby the cup when in ythe hopper with the shelf as a bottom will be filled with grain and upon rotation of the disc :the grain in the cu-p will be levelled with the top of the disc by the hopper side wall, and a discharge tube for receiving the grain emptying from said cup outside the hopper fas the open bottom cup passes off the shelf.

9. A grain sampler comprising, a grain receiving hopper having an opening therein, la rotatable disc having a portion thereof extending through the opening in said hopper, a bottomless cup secured in an opening extending through said disc, and a iixed partition beneath the disc under the portion of the disc extending -within the hopper and acting as a closure bottom for the cup as the cup moves over the partition, whereby grain delivered to the hopper will ii-ll the cup during its travel through the hopper and the cup will discharge its contents after passing out 4of the hopper and oli the bottom acting partition.

10. A grain sampler comprising, a grain receiving hopper having an opening therein, a rotatable disc having a portion thereof extending through the opening in said hopper, a bottomless cup secured in an opening extending through said disc, a fixed partition beneath the disc under the portion of the disc extending within the hopper and acting as a closure bottom for the cup as the cup moves over the partition, whereby a portion of the grain delivered to the hopper will fill the cup during passage of the cup through the hopper and the cup will discharge its contents after passing out of the hopper and off the bottom acting partition, said hopper` being large enough and extending beneath the disc to receive the balance of the grain not used in filling said disc cup.

11. A grain sampler comprising, a grain receiving hopper having an opening therein, a rotatable disc having a portion thereof extending through the opening in said hopper, a bottomless cup secured in an opening extending through said disc, a fixed partition beneath the disc under the portion of the disc extending within the hopper and acting as a closure bottom for the cup as the cup moves over the partition, whereby a portion of the grain delivered to the hopper will ll the cup during passage of the cup through the hopper, a levelling means forming part oi said hopper and operable when the cup passes out of the hopper to level the contents of the cup, whereby a level cupful of grain will leave the cup as the cup moves oif the bottom acting partition.

12. A grain sampler comprising, a grain receiving hopper having an opening therein, a rotatable disc having a portion thereof extending through the opening in said hopper, a bottomless cup secured in an opening extending through said disc, a fixed partition beneath the disc under the portion of the disc extending within the hopper and acting as a closure bottom for the cup as the cup moves over the'partition, said cup adapted to receive a portion of the grain entering said hopper, a grain levelling means forming part of said hopper and operable when the cup passes out of the hopper to level the contents .aumen i'of -the cup, whereby a level cupul :of `grain will 'said hopper beneath rsaid disc zfadapted fto receive :the balance ofthe ygrain fentering Ythe hopper.

13. A grain sampler comprising, :a .'grain -receiving hopper :having an opening in the side thereof, a rotatable disc having aportion thereof extending -through the 'opening fin ysaid hopper, a bottomless `cup 'secured .in 'an opening .extending through -said disc, 'a .'xed :partition beneath the disc under the portion of the disc extending Within the hopper and acting as a closure'bottom .for the cup as the cup moves over 'the `partition,

said cup adapted to 'be 'lled `With grain with l -only a portion of `thegrain entering the receiving hopper as the cup moves through the hop-pena levelling means on said lhopper operable v.when the cup passesout ofthe hopper to level the contents of thecup, whereby a level cupful of grain `of the hopper and 'to ,insure uniform flling foi the grain cup.

14. In a grain sample taking device, :means for providing a ov/ Aof grain, vadisc :having an opening therein, means directing the flow 'of-grain to said disc, a grain receiving cup 4"depending from the opening in said disc, means Tforrotating said disc whereby the cup is into and out of ialinement with said flow of grain, means'for-agitating said disc to insure uniform lling o'f said cup, and said means for agitating including anfarcuately intermittently swingable hammer.

15. In a grain sample taking device, :means for providing a flow of grain, a :disc having `an opening therein, a grain receiving cup depending from the opening in said disc, means for rotating said disc so that the cup is into and outof alinement with the ow of grain, vmeans associated with said disc rotating means `for a'gitating said disc to insure uniform lling of said cup, said means for agitating comprising a pivoted rocker arm having a first end Within range o'i said "8 ydisc, and -means for Aautomatically raising 'and .llowering ythe 'other end `whereby the .first end strikes the disc at intervals causing its vibration.

16. IIn a'grain sample taking device, means for -providinga now ofgrain, adisc having an openingthereinfa grain lreceivingy cup depending from the opening `in said disc,-rneans for rotating said disc, said cup adapted upon rotation of the disc sto `be `moved into and out of alinement with .said grain lflow, means driven by said rst named means Aioragitating said-disc 'to insure uniform Aiilling -of Asaid cup, said means comprising a -pivoted rocker arm having a iirst Aend within :range'ofsaid disc, means for-automatically Vrais- -ing and lowering `theother end whereby the rst Vendstrikes-the'disc at intervals causing its vibra- `tion,.and said means for raising and lowering the other end of the rocker arm comprising van annular series -of cams.

1'7. A grain sample-taking device comprising .means .for continuously delivering grain, means ,for continuouslydiverting a portion of the grain being delivered, Ya sample `vreceptacle, means for .periodicallypositioning said receptacle to receive Aa'measured sample of the grain being diverted, 'and means yfor returning the remaining 'grain to .said graindelivery means after the sample has been removed.

ALBERT B. WELTY.

H. WALKER.

REFERENCES `CITED The 'following references are 'of record in the -le fo'f this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date '291,474 Finch Jan. 1, 1884 1,063,494 Bardill June 3, 1913 1,063,725 .Petersen June 3, 1913 13086,'143 Davidson Feb. 3, 1914 11,108,278 'Thomas Aug. 25, v1914 1,170,842 Newhouse Feb. S, 1916 1,521,545 Kister Dec. 30, 1924 1,966,712 Fisher etfal July 17, 1934 [2,219,452 Moniti Oct. 29, 1940 2,301,815 yRobison Nov. 10, 1942 2,370,260 yRobison Feb. 27, 1945 

